‘Apex Legends’ Is Great But No ‘Titanfall 3’ Is Still A Tragedy

Apex Legends is really terrific, but I’m still sad and worried about the fate of ‘Titanfall 3.’Credit: Respawn

Like so many others out there, I’ve become an instant fan of Respawn’s excellent battle royale game Apex Legends.

I’ve already written about the many systems the game employs to make it a fun, squad-based shooter even if you don’t normally like playing in teams. I think it’s going to be a huge hit, and might even make some money if Respawn can come out with half-decent Legend skins and other cosmetics (because they’re just not very compelling right now.)

Basically, there’s no reason for you not to download this on PS4, Xbox One or PC (alas, not the Nintendo Switch—at least not yet!) And yet, even though I’m enormously happy with the game, I can’t help but feel sad that Respawn is currently not working on Titanfall 3, and that it’s possible (however absurd it may sound) that a Titanfall 3 might never be released.

It’s a real tragedy, people. The lackluster sales of Titanfall 2, one of the best shooters of this generation, was also a tragedy. The two tragedies are related. And while Apex Legends definitely scratches my first-person battle royale shooter itch, it’s not the same thing. Titanfall, with its crazy fast Pilot movement and awesome mechs is another beast entirely. There is literally nothing else like it—certainly none of the futuristic Call of Duty games ever achieved the same breathtaking speed and grace you’d find in a match of Titanfall 1 or 2.

Meanwhile, while the original Titanfall didn’t have a campaign, the sequel had one that wasn’t just good, it was outstanding. It remains one of my favorite modern-day shooter campaigns, and is a big part of the reason I gave the game such a high score in my review.

In any case, I’m thrilled that Apex Legends is such a good game and that so many people are playing it—seriously so many people are playing it already. But news that Titanfall 3 isn’t in the works, and the fear that it may never come out, has me feeling a bit sad. More than just sad, actually. I’m angry at the botched marketing and absurd release date that sunk Titanfall 2 to begin with. EA really screwed the pooch on that one and I hope they give Respawn a chance to come out with a really amazing third entry someday.

At the moment, Respawn is actively supporting Apex Legends and working on Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, a game that we all must keep in our prayers lest it face the same fate as so many other modern-day Star Wars games . . . .

Are you playing Apex Legends? Let me know what you think of the game on Twitter or Facebook.